IOA forms ad hoc committee to oversee boxing affairs; BFI calls decision “illegal”

The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) has strongly opposed the Indian Olympic Association’s (IOA) decision to form an ad hoc committee to manage boxing affairs, calling it “illegal.” The IOA cited “administrative instability” within the federation as the reason for its intervention.

The BFI elections were scheduled for February 2, but they have not been held. On Monday, the IOA announced the formation of an ad hoc committee to oversee the “affairs of the Indian Boxing Federation and ensure the smooth functioning of its activities until the conduct of free and fair elections.”

“The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has been closely monitoring the administrative affairs of the Boxing Federation of India (BFI). As per governing norms, elections for the BFI were to be conducted on or before February 2, 2025. However, despite the prescribed timeline, the elections have not been held, resulting in administrative instability within the federation,” IOA President PT Usha said in a letter.

“Furthermore, this office has received numerous complaints from stakeholders, including athletes, coaches, and concerned authorities, regarding the non-participation of Indian boxers in various important national and international events in recent months. This situation is detrimental to the growth and performance of Indian boxing on the global stage and necessitates immediate corrective measures,” she added.

The ad hoc committee is headed by Madhukant Pathak, with Rajesh Bhandari, DP Bhatt, Virendra Singh Thakur, and Shiva Thapa as its other members.

In response to the IOA’s decision, the BFI issued a statement condemning the creation of the ad hoc committee, calling it illegal.

“The BFI strongly condemns the creation of an ad hoc panel to manage its affairs, calling it illegal and a blatant attempt to violate the autonomy of a National Sports Federation (NSF). This has also been communicated in a letter from the BFI President to the President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA),” the statement said.

“BFI will also be filing a petition before the Hon’ble Delhi High Court to quash this illegal order immediately. It is also pertinent to mention today’s verdict, in which the Hon’ble Delhi High Court annulled the IOA’s decision to form an ad hoc panel for the Bihar Olympic Association,” the statement added.

(with ANI input)